Semaglutide is an injectable prescription medication originally developed for treating type 2 diabetes. Research has shown it also promotes weight loss by decreasing appetite and calorie intake.
The FDA approved a high dose semaglutide injection called Wegovy specifically for chronic weight management. Studies show it helps patients lose an average of 15% of body weight over 68 weeks.
Benefits of semaglutide:
Who is a candidate: Adults with obesity or overweight and at least one weight-related condition like high BP, high cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes.
Starting semaglutide requires understanding the treatment process and setting reasonable expectations.
Medical evaluation - Assess health status, risk factors, causes of weight gain, and readiness for lifestyle intervention.
Shared decision making - Set personalized weight loss goals and develop nutrition/exercise plans.
Semaglutide initiation - Injections started at low dose for side effect monitoring with gradual uptitration.
Lifestyle changes - Improving nutrition and increasing activity boosts semaglutide's effectiveness long-term.
Follow up care - Monitor progress, provide support for lifestyle adherence, and manage side effects.
Reasonable expectations - Average semaglutide weight loss is 10-15% over 12 months with plateau around 18 months. Requires ongoing effort.
Following best practices helps patients successfully lose weight with semaglutide:
Successfully losing and keeping weight off requires comprehensive care. When considering semaglutide, look for an experienced weight management clinic that provides:
Semaglutide can be a helpful addition to a comprehensive lifestyle change program for individuals struggling with obesity and overweight. Work closely with your doctor to see if it may be right for you.
